Why IR REmotes should be scrambled

[ZWarrior]

Did you know that you could buy a tiny little remote that has one function, to turn things off using IR?  Imagine you got your hands on one, say the TV-B-Gone and went someplace with lots of screens like, for instance, the Consumer Electronics Show.  What would happen if you used it there?

Gizmodo did.

I have to note that from standpoint of a prank it was A) hilarious, and B) very inappropriate.  But it was clever.

[JollyRoger]

Proved a point and entertaining. maybe inappropriate, but if you look at how a lot of changes are made it is because of an event like this. If you just said that IR needs some kind of encryption or scrambling, it wouldn't get taken as seriously as an instance like this one would.

I give gizmodo props.

[Mr_Anderson]

I'd definatly be doing that, probably would walk around Best Buy or NFM shutting off all their tv's!

[ZWarrior]

Now the really funny part is that all the guys working on the problem aren't looking at the power light, they are checking wires and source.  How many times have I done that?  too many.

[Mr_Anderson]

Don't you remember tech service training 101?

Is the power on?

Is it plugged in?

Are the video cables plugged in?

...etc.

[JollyRoger]

Yes but that only applies to stuff you did not setup.

[ZWarrior]

And it's rarely the power switch being in the o-f-f  position.